Parent group to Microsoft: Stop supporting ‘Family Guy’

The Parents Television Council, which aims to protect children from sex, violence and profanity on TV, is calling for Microsoft to stop advertising on the popular show “Family Guy.”

Why? Because of all the sex, violence, profanity, sexism, racism and other -isms on “Family Guy.”

Speaking during the Q&A session at Microsoft’s annual shareholders meeting Thursday morning in Bellevue, the PTC’s national grassroots director, Gavin McKiernan, applauded Microsoft for pulling out of its sponsorship of a “Family Guy”-branded variety show last month.

Microsoft had planned integrated Windows 7 advertising for “Family Guy Presents: Seth and Alex’s Almost Live Comedy Show,” which aired Nov. 8 on Fox. Microsoft initially was excited about the TV special’s return to the in-show advertising techniques of the 1940s and ’50s.

“We initially chose to participate in the Seth and Alex variety show based on the audience composition and creative humor of ‘Family Guy,’ but after reviewing an early version of the variety show it became clear that the content was not a fit with the Windows brand,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Variety last month. “We continue to have a good partnership with Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Alex Borstein and are working with them in other areas. We continue to believe in the value of brand integrations and partnerships between brands, media companies and talent.”

Indeed, Microsoft continued its Windows 7-“Family Guy” partnership for the “741” marketing campaign targeted at young people. And indeed, Microsoft commercials still run during “Family Guy” on Fox.

But the PTC wants Microsoft to cut the relationship completely.

“In addition to explicit sexual humor and profanity,” McKiernan said Wednesday, “‘Family Guy’ promotes disrespect and violence toward women. In a typical episode from March 15 of this year, the Stewie character made comments such as, ‘I’m going to slit your throat in your sleep,’ as well as, ‘I was wondering if you could give me some advice on how to murder a woman and get away with it.’ A fist fight breaks out and doesn’t end until innocent bystander Lois, Stewie’s mother, is socked in the face. Microsoft also sponsored this episode.”

“‘Family Guy’ seems to treat the abuse and even murder of women as a joke,” McKiernan continued, “and because it is a cartoon, airing on Sunday evening, it is seen by millions of children every week.”

Indeed, “Family Guy” is seen by millions and millions of people every week. It’s an extremely popular show, which ostensibly is why Microsoft advertises on it.

CEO Steve Ballmer responded to McKiernan’s criticism by saying such sponsorship decisions incorporate many discussions, and that the PTC should e-mail him.

Microsoft didn’t respond to a seattlepi.com request for official comment.